Core promoter short tandem repeats as evolutionary switch codes for primate speciation

Alteration in gene expression levels underlies many of the phenotypic differences across species. Because of their highly mutable nature, proximity to the +1 transcription start site (TSS), and the emerging evidence of functional impact on gene expression, core promoter short tandem repeats (STRs) may be considered an ideal source of variation across species. In a genome-scale analysis of the entire Homo sapiens protein-coding genes, we have previously identified core promoters with at least one STR of ≥6-repeats, with possible selective advantage in this species. In the current study, we performed reverse analysis of the entire Homo sapiens orthologous genes in mouse in the Ensembl database, in order to identify conserved STRs that have shrunk as an evolutionary advantage to humans. Two protocols were used to minimize ascertainment bias. Firstly, two species sharing a more recent ancestor with Homo sapiens (i.e. Pan troglodytes and Gorilla gorilla gorilla) were also included in the study. Secondly, four non-primate species encompassing the major orders across Mammals, including Scandentia, Laurasiatheria, Afrotheria, and Xenarthra were analyzed as out-groups. We introduce STR evolutionary events specifically identical in primates (i.e. Homo sapiens, Pan troglodytes, and Gorilla gorilla gorilla) vs. non-primate out-groups. The average frequency of the identically shared STR motifs across those primates ranged between 0.00005 and 0.06. The identified genes are involved in important evolutionary and developmental processes, such as normal craniofacial development (TFAP2B), regulation of cell shape (PALMD), learning and long-term memory (RGS14), nervous system development (GFRA2), embryonic limb morphogenesis (PBX2), and forebrain development (APAF1). We provide evidence of core promoter STRs as evolutionary switch codes for primate speciation, and the first instance of identity-by-descent for those motifs at the interspecies level. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Evolving evidence on a link between the ZMYM3 exceptionally long GA-STR and human cognition

The human X-linked zinc finger MYM-type protein 3 (ZMYM3) contains the longest GA-STR identified across protein-coding gene 5� UTR sequences, at 32-repeats. This exceptionally long GA-STR is located at a complex string of GA-STRs with a human-specific formula across the complex as follows: (GA)8-(GA)4-(GA)6-(GA)32 (ZMYM3-207 ENST00000373998.5). ZMYM3 was previously reported among the top three genes involved in the progression of late-onset Alzheimer�s disease. Here we sequenced the ZMYM3 GA-STR complex in 750 human male subjects, consisting of late-onset neurocognitive disorder (NCD) as a clinical entity (n = 268) and matched controls (n = 482). We detected strict monomorphism of the GA-STR complex, except of the exceptionally long STR, which was architecturally skewed in respect of allele distribution between the NCD cases and controls F (1, 50) = 12.283; p = 0.001. Moreover, extreme alleles of this STR at 17, 20, 42, and 43 repeats were detected in seven NCD patients and not in the control group (Mid-P exact = 0.0003). A number of these alleles overlapped with alleles previously found in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients. In conclusion, we propose selective advantage for the exceptional length of the ZMYM3 GA-STR in human, and its link to a spectrum of diseases in which major cognition impairment is a predominant phenotype. © 2020, The Author(s)

Ionic liquids at electrified interfaces

Until recently, “room-temperature” (<100–150 °C) liquid-state electrochemistry was mostly electrochemistry of diluted electrolytes(1)–(4) where dissolved salt ions were surrounded by a considerable amount of solvent molecules. Highly concentrated liquid electrolytes were mostly considered in the narrow (albeit important) niche of high-temperature electrochemistry of molten inorganic salts(5-9) and in the even narrower niche of “first-generation” room temperature ionic liquids, RTILs (such as chloro-aluminates and alkylammonium nitrates).(10-14) The situation has changed dramatically in the 2000s after the discovery of new moisture- and temperature-stable RTILs.(15, 16) These days, the “later generation” RTILs attracted wide attention within the electrochemical community.(17-31) Indeed, RTILs, as a class of compounds, possess a unique combination of properties (high charge density, electrochemical stability, low/negligible volatility, tunable polarity, etc.) that make them very attractive substances from fundamental and application points of view.(32-38) Most importantly, they can mix with each other in “cocktails” of one’s choice to acquire the desired properties (e.g., wider temperature range of the liquid phase(39, 40)) and can serve as almost “universal” solvents.(37, 41, 42) It is worth noting here one of the advantages of RTILs as compared to their high-temperature molten salt (HTMS)(43) “sister-systems”.(44) In RTILs the dissolved molecules are not imbedded in a harsh high temperature environment which could be destructive for many classes of fragile (organic) molecules

Ionic liquid-assisted sol-gel synthesis of Fe2O3-TiO2 for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol a under UV illumination: Modeling and optimization using response surface methodology

This study was undertaken to synthesize Fe2O3-doped TiO2 nanoparticles using a long tail ionic liquid-assisted sol-gel method (IL-Fe2O3/TiO2) in order to photodegrade bisphenol A (BPA). Physicochemical properties of the synthesized photocatalysis were characterized through FTIR, FESEM-EDX, XRD, and DRS. The modeling and optimization of the photodegradation of BPA by IL/ Fe2O3-TiO2 were conducted with response surface methodology (RSM) by considering the central composite design (CCD). The results revealed that the 1-octadecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (OMDBr) ionic liquid, in combination with ferric oxide dopant, created low aggregated nanocomposites with a uniform and tiny grain size. 2.4 eV. bandgap energy was computed for IL-Fe2O3/TiO2. The quadratic model obtained from the ANOVA results of photodegradation processes. A BPA removal efficiency of 90.33 % was acquired under optimal conditions (IL-Fe2O3/TiO2 loading dose = 0.75 g/L, pH = 9, initial BPA concentration = 10 mg/L, and UV irradiation time = 97.5 min). The results indicated that the photodegradation of BPA was mostly affected by the variables of time, pH, and initial BPA concentration, respectively. Only the second term of the IL-Fe2O3/TiO2 loading dose as a variable had a significant effect on the efficiency of the process. The Langmuir�Hinshelwood model was selected to investigate photodegradation kinetics. © 2020 Elsevier Gmb

Developing an Information System using Troll - an application field study

In this paper we present a national project located in the area of computer aided testing and certifying (CATC) of physical devices

Sorption of Acid Orange 3 From Aqueous Solution Using Eggshell

Dyes are used extensively in textile industries. The wastewater of these industries contains high amounts of pollutants which can be toxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic and needs to be treated before being discharged into the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of eggshell as a sorbent for the removal of Acid Orange 3 from synthetic wastewater. This study is applied experimental research which was performed on a laboratory scale. Eggshell as a sorbent was prepared at laboratory temperature and pulverized by standard ASTM sieves in two sizes (50 and 140). The concentration of dye in the synthetic wastewater was 25 mg/L. In this study, increasing adsorbent dose from 2 to 5 g/100 mL led to an increase in the adsorption efficiency from 36.6% to 55.36% and by decreasing the size of eggshell particles from 50 to 140 mesh, the adsorption efficiency increased. The maximum adsorption took place in the first 90 minutes of the reaction. By increasing pH from 5 to 9, the process efficiency increased from 78 to 82%; however, at pH higher than 9, the adsorption efficiency decreased. Additionally, the adsorption characteristics of this pollutant on eggshell fitted Freundlich isotherm (R2 >0.989). Due to the characteristics of textile wastewater such as alkaline pH, eggshells can be used as a natural adsorbent in textile wastewater treatment

TiO2 nanoarrays modification by a novel Cobalt-heteroatom doped graphene complex for photoelectrochemical water splitting: An experimental and theoretical study

Different graphene structures have received much attention due to their unique chemical and electron properties. In this report, we use heteroatom-doped graphene to coordinate Co2+ for use in photoelectrochemical cells. Flower-like TiO2 photoelectrode morphology was used as a semiconductor. Its surface was covalently modified with Co2+ coordinated nitrogen and sulfur-doped graphene quantum dot (S, N-GQD). S, N-GQD was used to improve visible light absorption and electron transport properties. Also, cobalt ions were coordinated with pyridinic nitrogen in the GQD structure and, like the cobalt-bipyridine complexes, acted as a catalyst for the water oxidation reaction. The modified photoelectrode significantly improved cell performance and resulted in a photocurrent density of 1.141 mA/cm2. To study the electronic structure of the compounds in more detail, we also used density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The obtained results confirmed the effective interactions of cobalt and S, N-GQD, and showed the energy levels and band gaps in agreement with the experimental results. This study led to the presentation of a new and robust strategy to improve the optical and catalytic performance of TiO2 nanoarrays in photoelectrochemical cells